CN1266332A - Video frequency recording equipment and method and central monitoring-recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a video recording device capable of recording video data and related additional data with high density for a long time. The frame compositing unit 1 forms a reduced video image by reducing switched video images acquired from a plurality of cameras 101, and generates a composite video image by displaying it on divided parts. The CPU 3 generates additional data related to the reduced video image on each divided portion, and records the synthesized video image and the additional data on the same video tape 7 . Using the additional data, desired reduced video images can be retrieved from the recorded composite video images, and the retrieved reduced video images can be analyzed.

Description

Video recording device and method, and central monitoring and recording system

The present invention relates to a video recording apparatus and method for recording a plurality of provided video images, and a central location capable of collecting monitored video images from a plurality of surveillance cameras installed and recording them on a recording medium such as a video tape and monitoring them. Surveillance recording system.

In recent years, surveillance cameras have been widely used in service industries such as banks with automated teller machines (ATMs), late-night retail stores, or hotels, for security reasons. In each facility, usually several locations are to be monitored, so it is necessary to install multiple surveillance cameras. In practice, since it is not always possible for a person to monitor the video images captured by the surveillance camera, the captured video images are usually recorded with a video recorder (VCR) or the like. When something happens, the recorded video images can be replayed and viewed.

However, VCRs are generally more expensive, and the installation cost of a VCR increases when multiple surveillance cameras are used. Therefore, video images from a plurality of surveillance cameras are switched in a time-division manner in one system and acquired, and the acquired video images are recorded by one VCR. In this case, when video images from a plurality of surveillance cameras are continuously recorded on the same video tape, continuous recording for a long time cannot be performed due to the limitation of the length of the video tape.

A method of reducing video images from a plurality of surveillance cameras and synthesizing the reduced video images to form a composite video image is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 10-108163. According to this method, video images from a plurality of surveillance cameras can be recorded at high density on a video tape having a limited length, thereby realizing long-term recording.

An object of the above-mentioned surveillance video system is to check surveillance video images recorded on a video tape when a problem occurs to analyze the state and the cause of the problem later. Therefore, additional information such as recording date and time is recorded in relation to the recording data of each frame or field. For example, in conventional analog recording systems, additional information is inserted into the vertical blanking intervals of each field image when recording is performed. Since there is only one video image in one field, the corresponding relationship between the video image and the additional data is clear.

However, in the above-mentioned system for reducing a plurality of video images and synthesizing them into one composite video image, when the composite image and additional data in a frame or field are related to each other in a similar manner to a conventional system, from the additional data The corresponding reduced video image in this composite video image cannot be specified. So there is a problem that this additional data cannot be effectively used when a problem is generated and then the data on the video tape is analyzed.

The present invention takes this problem into consideration, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video recording apparatus, method and central surveillance recording system capable of recording video images exactly related to additional data when performing high-density video recording.

The video recording apparatus of the present invention includes: synthesized video image generating means for forming a reduced video image by reducing each supplied video image, and generating a synthesized video image by synthesizing the formed reduced video images; additional information generating means, for generating additional information for each of the provided video images; recording means for converting the composite video image into and additional information are recorded on a predetermined recording medium.

The central monitoring and recording system of the present invention comprises: a plurality of video cameras, is used for acquiring and outputting video images; Composite video image generation device, is used for forming the reduced video image by reducing each video image provided by the video camera, and forms by synthesizing The reduced video image of the composite video image is generated to generate a composite video image; the additional information generating means is used to generate additional information for each provided video image; the recording device is used to maintain each reduced video image contained in the composite video image and each The combined video image and the additional information are recorded on a predetermined recording medium by means of the corresponding relationship between the two additional information. A "system" means a logical collection of devices, and it does not matter whether the devices of each corresponding structure are in the same enclosure.

The steps of the video recording method of the present invention include: generating a reduced video image by reducing each provided video image, generating a composite video image by synthesizing the generated reduced video images; acquiring additional information for each provided video image; The composite video image and the additional information are recorded on a predetermined recording medium in such a manner that the correspondence relationship between each reduced video image contained in the composite video image and each additional information is maintained.

According to the video recording apparatus or video recording method of the present invention, each supplied video image is reduced and a reduced video image is generated. The resulting reduced video images constitute a composite video image. In another aspect, additional information for each provided video image is generated or obtained. The composite video image and the additional information are recorded on the recording medium in such a manner that the correspondence relationship between each reduced video image contained in the composite video image and each additional information is maintained.

In the central surveillance recording system of the present invention, each video image provided by the camera is reduced to produce a reduced video image. The resulting reduced video images constitute a composite video image. On the other hand, additional information for each video image provided is generated. The composite video image and the additional information are recorded on the recording medium in such a manner that the correspondence relationship between each compressed video image contained in the composite video image and each additional information is maintained.

In the video recording device, video recording method, or central monitoring and recording system of the present invention, video images from various video supply sources (including cameras) can be periodically acquired by switching video images in a time-division manner.

In the video recording device, the video recording method, or the central monitoring and recording system of the present invention, the additional information should preferably include at least one providing source information (including camera identification information), which is used to indicate each providing source of each video image; Recording date and time information indicating the date and time each video image was recorded; a frame division structure information indicating the arrangement and maximum number of reduced video images in the composite video image; recording device identification information used to identify the recording a video recording device used; and content information relating to the content of each reduced video image contained in the composite video image.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a video recording apparatus and a central monitoring recording system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the frame synthesis unit in the explanatory diagram 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the frame synthesis unit in the explanatory diagram 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the structure of the compression processing unit in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of a recording processing unit in FIG. 1. FIG.

6A-6C are explanatory views of videotape recording formats.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a subcode sector in a recording track of a video tape.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a VAUX sector in a recording track of a video tape.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the data pack "VAUX recording date".

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the packet "VAUX recording time".

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of a multi-pack header.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a general data structure of a packet located in a multi-pack header.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the packet "common".

14A-14G are diagrams showing some examples of frame segmentation methods.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the packet "recording time offset".

Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the packet "camera name".

Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the packet "Product ID".

Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the data structure of the packet "user data".

Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating frame synthesis processing in the video recording apparatus of the embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a flow chart illustrating operations from the process of generating additional data to the recording of composite video data and additional data onto a video tape in the video recording apparatus of the embodiment.

21A-21C are schematic diagrams showing the correspondence between video images acquired from sixteen cameras and divided parts of frames divided into sixteen.

22A-22F are diagrams showing the correspondence between video images acquired from sixteen cameras and divided parts of frames divided into four.

23A-23E are schematic diagrams of an example of resynthesizing a frame divided into sixteen parts based on four synthesized frames each divided into four parts.

24A to 24E are diagrams showing the correspondence relationship between video images acquired from sixteen cameras and divided parts of frames divided into eight.

25A-25E are schematic diagrams illustrating a processing method for synthesizing a frame by continuously acquiring and reducing multiple video images aperiodically.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a central surveillance recording system including a video recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The central surveillance recording system based on this embodiment is used to record surveillance video images acquired at multiple places all at once. Since the video recording method of the embodiment of the present invention is performed by the video recording device of this embodiment, the video recording method will also be described below.

The central surveillance recording system of this embodiment includes an external input device 100 and a video recording device 200 . The input video data D _IN from the external input device 100 is supplied to the video recording device 200 .

The external input device 100 includes a plurality of video cameras 101 that acquire images in the surveillance area; a plurality of A/D converters 102 for performing A/D (analog/digital) conversion to a plurality of image signals from the plurality of video cameras 101; A road converter 103 for selectively acquiring the output data of the A/D converter 102 in a predetermined order, and outputting the input video data D _IN .

The multiplexer 103 has a plurality of input terminals 103a to which output signals from the A/D converters 102 corresponding to the plurality of cameras 101 are supplied, and an output terminal 103c to be connected to one of the input terminals 103a. end 103a. In the multiplexer 103, when the input terminal 103a connected to the output terminal 103c is switched to the other input terminal 103a at a predetermined timing, one output signal of the A/D converter 102 is output and constitutes a frame from the output terminal 103c The input video data D _IN in the unit. As a result, when attention is paid to a certain camera 101 , video images captured by this camera 101 are intermittently (with time intervals) supplied to the video recording device 200 . In a video signal of an interlaced scanning system in which one frame consists of two fields, switching of the multiplexer 103 is performed field by field. The following description is based on the assumption that the video signal is an NTSC (National Television System Committee) signal.

Video recording apparatus 200 comprises: frame compositing unit 1, is used for producing a composite video frame by synthesizing the multi-frame input video data D _IN from multiplexer 103; Compression processing unit 2, is used for compressing the output data of frame compositing unit 1 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 3 for controlling the operations of the units in the video recording apparatus 200. The video recording apparatus 200 also includes: a memory 4 for temporarily storing the additional data output by the CPU 3; a storage unit 5 for performing, for example, temporarily storing the composite video data compressed by the compression unit 2 and the additional data output by the memory 4. The recording processing unit 8 is used to perform the processing of recording the synthesized video data and the additional data outputted from the storage unit 5 to the video tape 7. In general, the frame synthesizing unit 1 corresponds to an example of "synthesized video generating means" in the present invention. The CPU 3 corresponds to an example of "additional information generating means" in the present invention. The recording processing unit 8 and the CPU 3 correspond to an example of "recording means" in the present invention.

In FIG. 1, solid arrows indicate the flow of video data and additional data. Each dotted arrow indicates the control signal flow.

The frame synthesis unit 1 has a memory 11 for temporarily storing the input video data D _IN output by the multiplexer 103 in the external input device 100; and a storage controller 12 for writing data to the memory 11 and from An address is designated when the memory 11 reads data. In the external input device 100, the input video data D _IN of one frame captured by one camera 101 has a data structure of 720 dots×480 lines as shown in FIG. 2 .

The storage controller 12 executes sampling processing based on the input video data D _IN in each video frame in the program described below, thereby forming a reduced video image having a data structure of 360 dots×240 lines as shown in FIG. 2 and synthesizing Multiple downscaled video images to produce a composite video frame. For example, in the example of FIG. 2 , the video images in the four frames FI1-FI4 captured by the camera are reduced to generate four reduced video images P1-P4. Furthermore, by synthesizing the reduced video images P1-P4, a synthesized video frame Fc is formed. When the input video data D _IN from the multiplexer 103 is provided in units of fields, for example, two fields are used to generate a frame and then sampled, a reduced video image is formed. Although, as described below, one composite video image is generated from the four video images shown in FIG. 2, a composite video image may be generated from more or less than four video images.

The process of generating the synthesized video frame Fc from the reduced video images P1-P4 is performed by specifying an address in the memory 11 by the memory controller 12. For example, it is realized in the following manner. At the stage of writing the reduced video images to the memory 11, the storage controller 12 divides the memory 11 into four blocks so that the data arrangement of the reduced video images P1-P4 is the same as that of the synthesized video Fc, and specifies address. When reading data, the read addresses are sequentially designated from the beginning by treating the entire memory 11 as one data block. Conversely, at the stage of writing the reduced video images to the memory 11, the data constituting the reduced video images P1-P4 are written sequentially from the header by using the memory 11 as one data block. When reading data, address designation is performed in order so that the data arrangement of the reduced video pictures P1-P4 becomes the same as that of the synthesized video frame Fc.

3A-3E show a state in which video images from four cameras 101 are input and a composite video image is generated. Each of Figures 3A-3D represents a sequence of video frames acquired by each camera 101, and Figure 3E represents the resulting sequence of composite video frames. In FIGS. 3A-3D , a block unit of one image represents one frame. The video frames on the right side of the figure are ahead in time. As shown in the figure, when paying attention to each camera 101, it can be seen that one video frame from one camera 101 is provided periodically (every four frames).

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the video recording apparatus 200 periodically records input video data D _IN to the video tape 7 so as to be able to record for a long time in a normal mode (ie, intermittent recording mode).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the input video data D _IN is periodically read out from the memory 11, while as shown in FIG. And the synthesized video frame Fc is formed. In the case of FIG. 2, one composite video frame Fc is output from the frame compositing unit 1 during the time interval for acquiring four frames of input video data _DIN . When the compressed composite video frame Fc is recorded on the video tape 7, the recording processing unit 8 controls so that video recording is performed on the video tape 7 not at the original speed but at a quarter speed. Thus, each synthesized video frame Fc output during the time interval for acquiring four frames of input video data D _IN is continuously recorded on the video tape 7 . The length of time that can be recorded on tape 7 at quarter speed is four times that of recording at the original speed.

The number of input video data D _IN is not limited to four, and may be 2, 3, or 5, or more. The number of divisions of the synthesized video frame can be set according to the number of sources of the input video data D _IN . The data recording speed to the video tape 7 can be set to 1/2, 1/3 or the like of the original speed according to the number of sources of the input video data D _IN .

When the number of sources of the input video data D _IN is expressed more generally as "n" (n is an integer of 1 or greater), the number of divisions of the synthesized video frame is also set to "n". In this case, one frame of input video data D _IN is placed in a divided portion of the synthesized video frame at intervals of (n) frames. By setting the recording speed to 1/n of the original speed, the recordable time length on the video tape 7 can be increased to n times the original speed.

Actually, video images are recorded on the video tape 7 in the following manner. The synthesized video frames Fc are stored in the memory 5 at intervals of a predetermined unit of frame. Under the control of the memory controller 6, the synthesized video frame Fc stored in the memory 5 is read out and recorded on the video tape 7. At this time, the CPU 3 determines the recording speed based on the number of signals supplied as part of the setting data 31 (the number of sources of the input video data D _IN ), and sends it from the CPU 3 to the recording processing unit 8 as recording speed information. The recording processing unit 8 controls the speed at which data is recorded onto the video tape 7 based on the recording speed information. For the memory 5, a semiconductor memory can be used. In addition, a disk-shaped recording medium such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk can also be used.

In the case where the video recording device 200 is applied to, for example, the above-mentioned surveillance system, and the video data is always periodically recorded on the video tape 7, if an emergency occurs, the video frame corresponding to the moment of the emergency may not be completely recorded on the video tape 7. On videotape 7, detailed investigation after the event cannot be carried out, so emergencies are often not handled satisfactorily.

In the video recording apparatus 200 of the embodiment, when an emergency occurs, the recording mode can be changed from the intermittent recording mode to the full recording mode. Specifically, when an emergency occurs, the video recording device 200 stops periodically acquiring input video data D _IN from a plurality of cameras 101, and starts acquiring input video data D _IN only from cameras 101 related to the emergency and transfers all The input video data D _IN are all recorded to the operation of the video tape 7 . For example, switching of the recording mode can be performed as follows.

Each camera 101 is provided with an abnormality detection sensor (not shown). An abnormality notification as external input data 32 is sent to the CPU 3 when the abnormality detection sensor detects an emergency. According to the abnormality detection notification received, the CPU 3 controls the multiplexer 103, the frame synthesizing unit 1, and the recording processing unit 8 to shift the recording mode from the intermittent recording mode (regular mode) to the full recording mode (emergency mode). Specifically, the CPU 3 stops the switching operation of the multiplexer 103 so that only the input video data D _IN from the camera 101 whose accident is detected by the abnormality detection sensor is supplied to the frame synthesizing unit 1 . The CPU 3 also controls the frame compositing unit 1 so that the input video data D _IN output from the multiplexer 103 is supplied to the compression processing unit 2 as it is (ie, not subjected to compositing processing). In addition, the CPU 3 controls the compression processing unit 2 so that the compressed video data output from the memory 5 is recorded on the video tape 7 at the original speed. The CPU 3 may control the compression processing unit 8 so that the video data output from the frame synthesis unit 1 is not compressed but sent to the memory 5 as it is and recorded.

With this structure, under normal circumstances, the video recording apparatus 200 periodically acquires video images from a plurality of cameras 101, compresses and synthesizes the video images, and records the resulting data onto the video tape 7 at 1/n speed. In the event of an emergency, the video recording device 100 can record only video images from the desired cameras 101 onto the video tape 7 at the original speed. Therefore, under normal circumstances, video images of many locations can be uniformly recorded over a long period of time. On the other hand, in the event of an accident, video images of the place where the accident occurred can be completely recorded so that detailed investigations can be carried out afterwards.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the compression processing unit 2 . The compression processing unit 2 has: a block forming circuit 21 for dividing the supplied video data into predetermined data blocks; a shuffling circuit 22 for rearranging the data blocks divided by the block forming circuit 21 into a predetermined shuffling pattern; DCT Circuit 23, for carrying out DCT (discrete cosine transform) processing to the output data of shuffling circuit 22; Quantization circuit 24, for quantizing the output data of DCT circuit 23 according to the quantization characteristic of quantization table; Data amount estimation unit 25, for After the DCT processing of the DCT circuit 23, the amount of data is estimated according to the coefficient of the DCT, and the quantization table in the quantization circuit 24 is converted; the variable length encoding circuit 26 is used to encode the quantization circuit 24 in such a way that the length of the encoded data is variable. The output data is encoded and the resulting data is output. The compressed composite video data output from the variable length encoding circuit 26 is supplied to the storage unit 5 . The compression processing unit 2 may have a configuration obtained by deleting, for example, the data amount estimation unit 25 from the above configuration. The structure of the compression processing unit 2 is not limited to the system shown in the figure, and it may be other systems.

The CPU 3 always monitors the switching timing of the multiplexer 103 in the external input device 100, and controls the frame compositing process in the frame compositing unit 1 in accordance with the switching timing. Specifically, for example, when it is assumed that one synthesized video image is generated from video images from four cameras 101, the CPU 3 notifies the memory controller 12 in the frame synthesis unit 1 of the switching timing of the multiplexer 103. Thus, the operation of supplying data from the multiplexer 103 to the frame synthesizing unit 1, the operation of sampling in the frame synthesizing unit 1, and the operation of writing reduced video data generated by sampling the memory 11 are performed synchronously. When the four reduced video data are written into the memory 11 under the control of the memory controller 12, and the data is read from the memory 11, the CPU 3 is notified of the read start moment. As described above, the CPU 3 controls the state of the processing progress in the frame synthesis unit 1 at all times.

Similarly, the CPU 3 sends/receives control signals to/from the compression processing unit 2, and also always controls the state of the compression processing process.

The CPU 3 also performs processing of generating various additional data related to the video frames acquired by the frame compositing unit 1 via the multiplexer 103, and writing the data into the memory 4. The address designation at the time of the write operation is carried out by the memory controller 6 under the control of the CPU 3. The additional data written in the memory 4 is read out and written into the storage unit 5 according to the address specified by the memory controller 6 . The transfer of the additional data is performed in synchronization with the writing of the synthesized video data from the compression processing unit 2 to the storage unit 5 .

The additional data includes: frame division structure information indicating the division structure of the synthesized video frame produced by the frame synthesis unit 1 (i.e., the maximum number and arrangement of reduced video images that can be included in one synthesized video frame); recording date and time information for indicating the recording date and time of the video data obtained from the acquisition signal from the multiplexer 103 as notification of switching timing; camera identification information and camera name information for indicating the camera that has output the video image 101 number and name; various user information provided from the outside, and recording device identification information indicating the video recording device itself. Among these pieces of information, frame division structure information, camera identification information, camera name information, and recording device identification information are information preset and fixed from the outside by the setting data 31 . Hereinafter, each divided section in a synthesized video frame (synthesized frame) will be simply referred to as a "divided section". Therefore, reduced video images are allocated and arranged in each divided section.

User information is included in the "content-related information" of the present invention. For example, when the camera 101 is set near an automatic teller machine (ATM) of a bank, the user information is transaction number, card number, date, time, and similar information obtained from the user's ATM card by the ATM simultaneously with image acquisition. User information includes warning messages in the event of an emergency. Such user information can be supplied as external input data 32 to the CPU 3 via a serial transmission line such as RS232C. The specific structure and recording format of the additional data will be described below.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the recording processing unit 8 . The recording processing unit 8 performs processing of recording the synthesized video data and additional data output from the storage unit 5 to the video tape 7, and has an ECC (Error Correction Code) processing unit 81, a channel encoding unit 82 connected to the ECC processing unit 81 , a recording head unit 83 connected to the channel encoding unit 82, and a mechanical unit 85 including a video tape 7 transport system, a rotating drum drive unit and the like. The recording head unit 83 includes a recording head and the like.

In the recording processing unit 8, when recording operation, ECC is added to the output data of the storage unit 5 by the ECC processing unit 81, the channel encoding unit 82 converts the data into the channel encoding of the format suitable for recording, and the recording head unit 83 Recording on the video tape 7 is carried out by the recording head in it.

Next, the recording format of the video data and additional data recorded on the video tape 7, and details of the additional data will be described with reference to FIGS. 6-18.

First, an outline of the recording format of the video data and additional data recorded on the video tape 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6-8.

6A-6C show the recording format, that is, the so-called DV (Digital Video) tape format applied to the video tape 7 . FIG. 6A shows a frame of video image (still picture), FIG. 6B shows the track arrangement pattern on the magnetic tape 70, and FIG. 6C shows the recording format on one track.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, one frame is divided into ten areas T0-T9. Data in areas T0-T9 are recorded on magnetic tape 70 in ten corresponding tracks TR0-TR9. Actually, the video data corresponding to each area T0-T9 of the frame is not recorded onto the track of the magnetic tape 70 of the video tape 7 as it is. This data is subjected to shuffling processing, sync block forming processing, re-shuffling processing, etc. by the compression processing unit 2, and the resulting data is recorded on each track.

As shown in FIG. 6C, one track contains an ITI (Insert and Track Information) sector 71, an audio sector 72, a video sector 73, and a subcode sector 74 in the following order. The ITI sector 71 is positioned such that the first sector meets the beginning of the recording head. The ITI sector 71 contains a TIA (Track Information Area) for storing track information such as track pitch, APT (Application ID of Track), a track data structure for indicating the magnetic tape 70 for consumer or professional use. The audio sector 72 is an area for recording audio data, which has an ID section (not shown) and an AAUX (Audio Auxiliary) area (not shown) for storing audio auxiliary data.

The video sector 73 is an area for recording video data, and has an ID section (not shown) and VAUX (Video Auxiliary) areas 73a and 73b for storing video auxiliary data. Additional data referred to in the embodiment is mainly recorded in the VAUX areas 73a and 73b. The subcode sector 74 contains an ID portion (not shown) and subcode data. The subcode data includes data mainly used for high-speed search, the absolute track number required for tape management, title time code used as a tape counter, etc. The title time code represents the absolute address of each frame in hours/minutes/seconds, and represents the number of frames when the head of the tape 70 is based on 0 in use. Each of the video sector 73 and the audio sector 72 is composed of a plurality of sync blocks each having a length of 90 bytes. The subcode section 74 is composed of a plurality of sync blocks each having a predetermined length.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of data recorded in the subcode sector 74 shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, columns extending in the vertical direction correspond to tracks of track numbers TR0-TR9, and rows extending in the horizontal direction correspond to sync blocks of sync block numbers 0-11. In this case, "13" indicates the title time code recorded in the sync block, "62" indicates that the packet "record date" in which the absolute value of the year/month/day of the record is stored is recorded in the sync block, and "63 The data packet "recording time" that stores the absolute value of the recording time is recorded in the synchronous data block represented by ", and the synchronous data block represented by "FF" contains non-specific information. The packets "recording date" and "recording time" will be described below.

FIG. 8 shows the data structure recorded in the VAUX areas 73a and 73b of the video sector 73 shown in FIG. In FIG. 8 , columns extending vertically correspond to tracks with track numbers TR0-TR9, and rows extending horizontally correspond to sync blocks with sync block numbers 0-44.

The synchronous data block represented by "60" records the data packet "VAUX source" that stores information indicating the source and type of the video image, and the synchronous data block represented by "61" records the source of the relevant video image. Packet "VAUX source control" of various control information such as , type, etc.

In the synchronous data block indicated by "F0", a packet "manufacturing code" storing the manufacturing information of the monitoring system is recorded. In the sync block indicated by "FD", a packet "multipack header" mainly describing a header group of a series of packets is recorded. Packets "multipurpose group" as a dummy group for filling the unused area of the VAUX areas 73a and 73b are recorded in the sync block indicated by "FE". A sync block indicated by "FF" contains non-specific information.

In the synchronous data block indicated by "FB(0)", there is recorded and stored the frame division structure information indicating the division and composite video frame structure, and the packet "common" of the camera number information (camera identification information) corresponding to each division part. In the sync block indicated by "FB(1)", a packet "recording time offset" storing recording date and time information of each reduced video image included in the synthesized video frame is recorded. A packet "camera name" storing camera name information is recorded in the sync block indicated by "FB(2)". In the sync block indicated by "FB(3)", a packet "manufacturing ID" storing recording device identification information is recorded. In the sync block indicated by "FB(4)", a packet "user data" storing user information is recorded. In the sync block indicated by "FB(5)", a packet "total data" in which checksum data for error detection is stored is recorded.

Next, referring to Figs. 9-18, the main data pack in the additional data will be described.

FIG. 9 shows the data structure of the pack "record date" recorded in the subcode sector 74. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows the data structure of the pack "recording time" recorded in the subcode sector 74. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, one packet is composed of 5 bytes (40 bits) of data PC0-PC4. The header byte PC0 indicates the type of data packet, and the four bytes PC1-PC4 indicate specific data content. Each of the other packets described below has a similar structure.

In the packet "recording date" shown in FIG. 9, the code "62h" in the header byte PC0 indicates the packet indicating the recording date of the video image (accurately, the acquisition of the video image (reduced video image) by header). that date). In the following four bytes PC1-PC4, the recorded year/month/day and the date of the week are recorded. Specifically, "DAY" indicates the recording date (1-31), "MONTH" indicates the recording month (1-12), and "YEAR" indicates the last two digits of the recording year (in the grace period) (00-99 ). Each of them is expressed in BCD (binary-decimal) code. "WEEK" indicates the recorded week (Sunday to Saturday) in binary code (000-110). Each bit of "DS", "TM" and "Time Zone" is fixed data (="1").

In the packet "recording time" shown in FIG. 10, the code "63h" in the header byte PC0 represents the code indicating the video image recording time (precisely, the absolute time at which the header video image (reduced video image) was acquired). data pack. In the following four bytes PC1-PC4, the recording time is recorded. Specifically, the number of frames (0-29) is stored in PC1, the number of seconds (0-59) is stored in PC2, the number of minutes (0-59) is stored in PC3, and the number of hours (0-23) is stored in PC4 middle. Each of them is expressed in BCD code. "TENS of..." means decimal digits, and "UNITS of..." means units digits. Each of the bits "S1" to "S6" is fixed data (="1"). The data packets "record date" and "record time" are generated based on the calendar timer function of CPU 3.

FIG. 11 shows the data structure of a pack on the recording area header of a plurality of packs located in the VAUX areas 73a and 73b (hereinafter referred to as a multi-pack area), which is also called a multi-pack header. In the multi-pack header, the code "FDh" indicates the data pack and subsequent data packs stored in the multi-pack area in the header byte PC0. "Multiple groups of data codes" in PC1-PC2 indicate the use of subsequent multiple data packets. In this embodiment, fixed to data "003h" indicates that the packet is for surveillance (security). "TDP" in PC3-PC4 indicates the number of data packets after this data packet. "TT" indicates fixed data (="1").

Fig. 12 shows a general form of a packet at the head of a group constituted by a sequence (group) of packets in the multi-packet area following the multi-packet header (hereinafter referred to as a multi-packet group). In this packet, the code "FBh" indicates that the packet at the head of the multi-packet group is stored in the header byte PC0. In this embodiment, the "spread code" in PC1 is defined as monitor spread. The extension codes are defined as follows.

"0000": packet "generic"

"0001": Packet "record time offset"

"0010": Packet "Camera Name"

"0011": Packet "Product ID"

"0100": Packet "User Data"

"0101": packet "total data"

"0110"～"1101": not used

"1110": Packet "Continue". Specifically, in this packet, the data continues from the immediately preceding packet.

"1111": No information

The following describes the data structure of the data packets "common", "recording time offset", "camera name", "product ID", and "user data".

"Version" in PC1 indicates a version related to each spreading code, the data structure of the group, and the arrangement of the group in the VAUX sector section. In the illustrated example, version 1 is shown. "Number of data packets" in PC2 indicates the number of this group of data packets and subsequent data packets. PC3 and PC4 are appropriately defined based on the type of packet.

Fig. 13 shows the data structure of the packet "General". This pack includes a header pack G0 having the structure shown in FIG. 12 and three subsequent packs G1 to G3. The meanings of PC0 and PC1 in header group G0 are as shown in FIG. 12 . "Extension code" is set to "0000", that is, "universal". In this embodiment, the "Number of Packets" in PC2 in the title pack G0 is set to "03h", that is, three packs. The value changes according to the number of frame divisions.

Each bit in PC3 and PC4 in the header packet G0 has a data indicating whether a reduced video image exists in each division of the synthesized video frame. In this embodiment, one composite video frame can be divided into sixteen divisions at most, and each video image from sixteen cameras 101 can be displayed as a reduced video image on each division. Each bit of E1 to E16 in PC3 and PC4 in the header pack G0 indicates whether a reduced video image exists in the 16 divided parts by "1" or "0". For example, when the bit E1 is "0", it means that there is no reduced video image in the first divided part. More specifically, when the synthesized video image is displayed on the screen of a predetermined display device, the screen area corresponding to the first divided portion (Partition-1) displays a blank state.

For the meanings of PC0 and PC1 in subsequent data packets G1-G3, refer to the description of FIG. 12 . For example, the last four digits of PC1 "1110" in the data packet indicate "continuation", that is, the data continues immediately after the previous data packet.

"Number of cameras" in PC2 in packet G1 represents the number of cameras 101 installed in four bits. "Split Mode" is expressed in four bits as the split form of the synthesized video frame as shown in FIG. 14 . 14A to 14G show types of division forms of composite video frames. Fig. 14A shows the case where division is not performed. Fig. 14B shows the case where the synthesized video frame is divided into two in the vertical direction. FIG. 14C shows the case where the synthesized video frame is divided into four parts in total, two parts in the horizontal direction and two parts in the vertical direction. FIG. 14D shows the case where the synthesized video frame is divided into eight parts in total, two parts in the horizontal direction and four parts in the vertical direction. FIG. 14E shows the case where the synthesized video frame is divided into eight parts in total, four parts in the horizontal direction and two parts in the vertical direction. FIG. 14F shows the case where the synthesized video frame is divided into nine parts in total, three parts in the horizontal direction and three parts in the vertical direction. FIG. 14G shows the case where the synthesized video frame is divided into 16 parts in total, four parts in the horizontal direction and four parts in the vertical direction.

Each of "camera number (partition-1)" to "camera number (partition-16)" in PC3 and PC4 in data packet G1 and PC2 to PC4 in data packet G2 and G3 represents acquisition and is displayed in four bits The camera number of the camera 101 of the downscaled video image on each divided section (Partition-1 to Partition-16).

Fig. 15 shows the data structure of the packet "recording time offset". The data packet contains data representing the acquisition time of the reduced video image in each segment of the composite frame. Each acquisition time indicates a deviation (difference data) from the acquisition date and time (absolute time) in the "record date" and "record time" stored in the packet in the subcode field 74 . The data packet "record time deviation" is generated by utilizing the calendar timer function of CPU 3.

The meaning of each PC0 and PC1 in the title packet R0 is as explained in FIG. 12 . "Extension code" is set to "0001", that is, "record time deviation". In this embodiment, the "Number of Packets" in PC2 within the title pack R0 is set to "10h", that is, 16 groups. This value varies according to the number of frame divisions.

Each of the subsequent packets R1 to R16 represents deviation information indicating the acquisition times of the respective reduced video images in the divided sections (Partition-1 to Partition-16) in minutes, seconds, and frames. For example, the data of the data pack Ri is appended to the acquisition date and time stored in the data packs "recording date" and "recording time" (FIGS. 9 and 10) in the subcode section 74, resulting in a divided part (partition-i) Absolute acquisition time of downscaled video images on . In this case, i=1-16. When attention is paid, for example, packet R1, in PC2, deviation information indicating the acquisition time of the reduced video image on the divided part (partition-1) is stored in the unit of the frame number (1 to 29) of the reduced video image middle. In PC3, deviation information indicating the acquisition time of the reduced video image is stored in units of seconds (0 to 59). In the PC4, deviation information indicating the acquisition time of the reduced video image is stored in units of minutes (0 to 59). Other divisions (Partition-2 to Partition-16) are similar to the above.

The meanings of PC0 and PC1 in each data packet R1-R16 are shown in FIG. 12 . For example, the last four bits of PC1 in each data packet represent "continuation", that is, the data continues immediately after the preceding data packet. Any of "S1" to "S4" is fixed data (="1").

Fig. 16 shows the data structure of the packet "camera name". This packet indicates the name of the camera whose number of cameras is limited by the packet "common" shown in FIG. 13 . As the camera name, it is better to use the name of the location where the camera is installed. For example, use names such as "Entrance", "Changing Room", "Antechamber", "ATM-No.1".

The meanings of PC0 and PC1 in the header packet C0 are shown in Figure 12. "Extension Code" is set to "0010", that is, "Camera Name". In this embodiment, the "Number of Packets" in PC2 in the title pack R0 is set to "03h", that is, three groups. This value varies according to the number of cameras.

The "camera number" of PC3 in the title packet C0 indicates any camera number (0 to 16) defined by the packet "common" shown in FIG. 13 .

In each PC4 in the packet C0 and in PC2 to PC4 in the subsequent packets C1 to C3, data of characters of the camera name represented by ASCII codes are stored. Therefore, in this embodiment, the camera name can be set to 10 characters (character-1 to character-9).

Fig. 17 shows the data structure of the packet "Product ID". This packet is used to store recording device identification information indicating a video recording device that recorded a video image. Recording device identification information is important to increase the evidentiary validity of recorded video images in the event of certain malfunctions.

The meanings of PC0 and PC1 in header packet PI0 are shown in FIG. 12 . The "extended code" is set to "0011", that is, the "product ID". In this embodiment, the "number of packets" of PC2 in the title packet PI0 is set to "02h", that is, two groups.

In PC3 in the title packet PI0 and in PC2 to PC4 in the subsequent packets PI1 and PI2, identification information "corporate ID", "company ID", "department ID" and Identification information "model ID" indicating the model number (for example, production serial number) of the video recording apparatus.

Fig. 18 shows the data structure of the packet "User Data". The data pack is used to store various user information input from an external system as external input data 32 (FIG. 1). As mentioned above, the user information includes: the alarm information that prompts certain faults to occur, and the transaction number, card number, date, and time obtained from the user's automatic teller card by the ATM and the image acquisition of the camera synchronously. This information is important for later analysis of the recorded video images.

The meanings of PC0 and PC1 in header packet U0 are shown in FIG. 12 . "Extension Code" is set to "0100", that is, "User Data". In this embodiment, the "number of packets" in PC2 in the header packet U0 is set to "08h", that is, eight groups.

In the "division number" in PC3 in the header pack U0, data (1 to 16) indicating the correspondence between the user information and the reduced video images on the divided portions are stored. Accordingly, each camera 101 can be associated with user information.

In PC1-PC4 of subsequent data packets U1-U8, a total of 32 bytes of user information "user data-0" - "user data-31" are stored.

The operation of the video recording apparatus having the above-mentioned structure will now be described. In the following description, the video recording method of this embodiment will also be explained.

First, main operations of the video recording apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 and the flow charts shown in FIGS. 19 to 20 . FIG. 19 mainly shows the outline operation of the memory controller 12 in the frame synthesizing unit 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 20 shows schematic operations of the CPU 3 and the memory controller 6. As an example, a case where video images of four systems acquired by four cameras 101 are synthesized into one synthesized video image will be described below.

Each camera 101 in the external input device 100 supplies an acquired analog video image to each A/D converter 102 . The A/D converter 102 converts an input analog video image into digital data and supplies the digital data to the multiplexer 103 . Selecting one of the input digital video images in sequence, the multiplexer 103 periodically acquires video images of the four systems as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D .

The input video data D _IN acquired by the multiplexer 103 is supplied to the frame synthesis unit 1 . The memory controller 12 in the frame compositing unit 1 executes a process of reducing each of the four video images and compositing the reduced video images into one composite video image in accordance with the flow shown in FIG. 19 . Specifically, in FIG. 19, when the acquisition signal outputted according to the switching time in the multiplexer 103 is received via the CPU3 ("Yes" in step S101), the memory controller 12 receives one frame of input video data D _IN and store it in the buffer area of the memory 11 as it is (step S102).

The memory controller 12 reads the frame of video data stored in the buffer area of the memory 11 while sampling it, and writes it into a predetermined data block in the work area of the memory 11 . At this time, the storage controller 12 designates a write address according to the frame division structure information given by the CPU3, and then executes storage conversion corresponding to the arrangement of the division parts in the synthesized video frame (step S103).

Similarly, the memory controller 12 writes the reduced video data in the second to fourth frames into the working area of the memory 11 (steps S101-S103). When the input of four frames is completed (YES in step S104), the memory controller 12 sequentially reads out data from the header addresses in the work area of the memory 11 and outputs the data (step S105). As shown in FIG. 3 , four video images captured by four cameras 101 and input in a time-division manner are reduced and one frame of composite video image is generated.

The synthesized video image generated by the frame synthesis unit 1 is supplied to the compression processing unit 2 and compressed, and the resulting data is output.

In FIG. 20, according to the setting data 31 provided from the outside, the CPU 3 generates a data packet such as "common" containing frame division structure information, camera identification information, a data packet "camera name" containing a camera name, and a data packet containing recording device identification. information, and store these additional data in the memory 4 (step S201 in FIG. 20).

When the acquisition signal is supplied from the multiplexer 103 (step S202 in FIG. 20 ), the CPU 3 generates a data packet such as "recording time offset" containing recording date and time information, including input time based on the acquisition signal, frame division structure information , and the data packet "user data" of user information of the externally input data 32, control the memory controller 6 and write these data packets into the memory 4 (step S204).

The CPU 3 controls the memory 6 so as to transfer and write the additional data (packets) in the memory 4 to the storage unit 5 at the same time as the synthesized video data is transferred from the compression processing unit 2 to the memory unit 5. At this time, the memory controller 6 designates a write address to perform memory conversion corresponding to the recording format on the video tape 70 (FIGS. 6 to 8) (step S205).

The CPU 3 controls the storage controller 6 so that the data in the storage unit 5 is output to the recording processing unit 8 in the order of the title address, and written on the video tape 70 (step S206). Through the above processing, composite video data and additional data are recorded in the VAUX areas 73a and 73b of the subcode sector 74 and the video sector 73 of the video tape 70 in an arrangement as shown in FIGS. 6-8.

As described above, according to the video recording apparatus, video recording method, or central monitoring and recording system of this embodiment, video images acquired by a plurality of cameras 101 are sequentially switched at the same time, the acquired video images are reduced to generate reduced video images, The reduced video image is displayed on the divided portion, thereby generating a composite video image, and the composite video image is recorded on a video tape. Thus, it is possible to record video images from a plurality of video cameras at a high density, thereby enabling long-term recording with a limited length of video tape. According to this embodiment, additional data associated with each reduced video image is generated, and while maintaining the correspondence relationship between each reduced video image and each additional data, the composite video image and the additional data are recorded on the same tape, so Additional information for each reduced video image of each division can be obtained. By using these additional data, desired reduced video images can be retrieved from the recorded composite video images and the retrieved reduced video images can be analyzed.

When the composite video image recorded by the video recording apparatus of this embodiment is reproduced using the display device, the video image captured by the same camera 101 is always displayed on a divided portion of the display device screen. Synthetic video images and additional data can be displayed based on their recording, and already recorded composite video images and additional data can be reproduced immediately, and the status of multiple places can be viewed from both video images and additional information in an almost real-time manner. Simultaneous monitoring on the screen.

According to the video recording apparatus of this embodiment, by switching the video images output from the plurality of cameras 101 in a time-divisional manner, the video images of the respective cameras are periodically acquired. Therefore, when the video tape 7 with limited recording capacity is used, recording for a longer period of time can be realized. In addition, according to the video recording apparatus of this embodiment, since video images are compressed and recorded, recording for a longer period of time is possible.

The above operation of the embodiment in which video images from four video cameras 101 are downscaled and synthesized to generate a composite video image has been described. The basic operation is also similar when video images from, for example, two, eight, nine or sixteen cameras 101 are synthesized into one frame in the manner shown in FIG. 14 . For example, as shown in FIG. 21A, when the video images C1-C16 from 16 cameras 101 are synthesized into one frame, the video images C1-C16 are respectively assigned to the divided parts D1-D16 shown in FIG. 21B, 21C, . . .

The setting number of cameras 101 and the number of frame divisions (the number of divisions in a composite video image frame) do not always have to be the same as each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 22A, it is also possible to divide the video images C1 to C16 from the 16 cameras 101 into four groups each having four video images, and to generate a composite video image from the four video images of each group. . Specifically, the video images C1~C4 of the first group are respectively assigned to the divisions D1~D4 of a synthesized video frame shown in FIG. The segmented parts D1-D4 of a synthetic video frame, the video images C9-C12 of the third group are respectively allocated to the segmented parts D1-D4 of the subsequent synthetic video frame shown in FIG. 22D, and the video images C13-C16 of the fourth group are respectively Allocate to the divisions D1 to D4 of the subsequent synthesized video frame shown in FIG. 22E. Similarly, the process of generating composite video frames 22B-22E is repeated.

When only the synthesized video image recorded in the manner shown in FIG. 22 is reproduced as it is with the display device, video images from different cameras 101 are sequentially displayed on a divided portion of the display device screen. In this case, for example, as shown in FIGS. 23A to 23E, a series of four composite video images shown in FIGS. 23A to 23D are recorded on each of the reduced video images on the divided portion and are further reduced at the time of reproduction. . The further reduced video images are rearranged and distributed into the 16 divisions shown in Fig. 23E, thereby generating and displaying a composite video frame. Thus, video images captured by the same camera 101 can always be displayed on a divided portion of the composite video frame on the screen.

For example, as shown in FIG. 24A , video images C1 to C16 from 16 cameras 101 can also be divided into two groups each having eight video images, and the video images from 8 systems of cameras 101 in each group can be generated A composite video frame. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 24B, the video images C1~C8 in the first group are respectively assigned to the divisions D1~D8 in a synthesized video frame, and the video images C9~C16 in the second group are respectively assigned to the next segment. Segments D1-D8 in a composite video frame. Similarly, the process of generating a composite video frame is repeated as shown in Figures 24D, 24E . . . Also in this case, at the time of reproduction, in a manner similar to the case of FIG. The composite video frame is displayed on the screen.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the present invention can be variously modified. For example, the present invention is not limited to the case of compressing a video signal and recording the compressed video signal, but is also applicable to the case of recording a video signal without being compressed. The present invention is not limited to video recording equipment for surveillance, and can be used for other purposes such as equipment for recording equipment for various observations.

Although in this embodiment, the supplied video image is composited using the memory as the work area, and the resulting composite video image is recorded on a video tape together with additional data, it is also possible to temporarily record the supplied video image as it is, for example, on a hard disk. on a disc-shaped recording medium, perform video synthesis and compression processing, and then record the synthesized image processed together with additional information on a video tape.

Although in this embodiment, in the case of focusing on each camera 101, input video images are intermittent data with respect to time, the present invention is also applicable to video images which are continuously input with respect to time. For example, as shown in FIGS. 25A to 25E , video images from the four cameras 101 of FIGS. 25A to 25D are recorded in the buffer memory simultaneously and in parallel, and the acquired video images are reduced and synthesized. In this way, all video images from the four cameras 101 can be continuously displayed in a composite video frame as shown in FIG. 25E. In this case, higher-precision surveillance recording can be performed without missing images.

Although in this embodiment, only the structure for recording data to the video tape 7 has been described, the present invention can also perform recording and reproducing operations simultaneously. In this case, using a dual-port RAM having two ports for data input and output as the storage unit 5, both recording and reproducing operations can be performed satisfactorily. Also, in the case of using a general RAM having only one port for input and output as the storage unit 5, for example, performing recording and reproducing operations in a time-division manner using time slots is obviously possible to simultaneously perform recording and reproducing operations.

Although the video supply source described in the above-mentioned embodiments is a video camera, the present invention is not limited thereto. The video supply source may be a video reproducing device such as a VCR or a DVD (Digital Video Disc) device capable of reproducing video images that have been recorded.

As described above, according to the video recording apparatus or video recording method of the present invention, a plurality of supplied video images are reduced to generate a reduced video image, a synthesized video image is generated by synthesizing the generated reduced video images, and a composite video image is generated for each of the reduced video images. The additional information of the image is provided, and the composite video image and the additional information are recorded on a predetermined recording medium in such a manner that the correspondence relationship between each reduced video image and each additional information contained in the composite video image can be maintained. Thus, video images from a plurality of video supply sources can be recorded at high density for a long time, and reduced video images can be recorded in association with additional information. Therefore, the reduced video image associated with the recorded additional information can be specified in the synthesized video image, and the recorded content can be analyzed by effectively using the additional information.

In particular, according to another video recording apparatus of the present invention, the synthesized video image generating means performs predetermined image compression on the video image obtained by synthesizing the reduced video image, and outputs the compressed video image as the synthesized image. Higher density recording can therefore be realized.

According to still another video recording apparatus of the present invention, the recording apparatus records the composite video image and the additional information on the same recording medium. Thus, it is easy to process composite video images and additional information integrally at once after recording.

According to still another video recording device of the present invention, video images output from multiple video supply sources are switched in a time-division manner, and video images from each video supply source can be periodically acquired. Therefore, recording for a longer period of time can be achieved when using a recording medium with a limited recording capacity.

According to the central surveillance recording system of the present invention, each of a plurality of video images from a plurality of cameras is reduced to generate a reduced video image. The generated reduced video is composited to generate composite video images, and additional information for each provided video image is generated. The composite video image and additional information are recorded on a predetermined recording medium in such a manner that the correspondence relationship between each reduced video image and each additional information contained in the composite video image can be maintained. Video images from multiple cameras can be recorded at high density for a long time, and reduced video images can be recorded in association with additional information. Therefore, monitored video images can be continuously recorded for a long time without changing the recording medium, and video images recorded by each camera can be analyzed in detail by effectively using additional information. For example, the desired reduced video image can be easily retrieved from the recorded composite video image, and the camera can be easily determined using additional information.

Obviously various modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described in the specification.

Claims (17)

1. A video recording device comprising: composite video image generating means for generating a reduced video image by reducing each of the supplied plurality of video images and generating a composite video image by synthesizing the generated reduced video images; additional information generating means for generating additional information for each provided video image; recording means for recording the composite video image and the additional information to a predetermined recording medium in such a manner as to maintain a correspondence relationship between each of the reduced video images and each of the additional information contained in the composite video image . 2. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composite video image generating means performs predetermined image compression on a video image obtained by synthesizing said reduced video image, and outputs the compressed video image as said composite video images. 3. The video recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined recording medium is a tape-shaped recording medium capable of recording digital video information. 4. The video recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means records said synthesized video image and additional information on the same recording medium. 5. The video recording apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supplied video image is a video image periodically acquired by switching a video image from a video supply source in a time division manner. 6. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said additional information at least includes providing source information indicating said providing sources of said video images, a recording date and time indicating recording of each said video image Information on date and time, frame division structure information indicating the arrangement and maximum number of reduced video images in said synthesized video image, recording device identification information for identifying said video recording device used for recording, and information about said synthesized One of the content information of the content of each reduced video image included in the video image. 7. The video recording apparatus of claim 1, wherein said provided video images are video images output from a plurality of cameras. 8. The video recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said provided video image is a video image periodically acquired by switching said video image output from said camera in a time division manner. 9. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said additional information includes at least camera identification information for identifying each of said cameras, camera name information indicating a name given to each of said cameras, indicating to record said recording date and time information of the date and time of each video image, frame division structure information indicating the arrangement and maximum number of reduced video images in said composite video image, recording for identifying said video recording device used for recording One of device identification information and content information on the content of each of the reduced video images included in the combined video image. 10. A central monitoring and recording system including: Multiple cameras for acquiring and outputting video images; composite video image generating means for generating a reduced video image by reducing each of a plurality of video images supplied from the camera and generating a composite video image by synthesizing the generated reduced video images; additional information generating means for generating additional information for each provided video image; recording means for recording the composite video image and the additional information to a predetermined recording medium in such a manner as to maintain a correspondence relationship between each of the reduced video images and each of the additional information contained in the composite video image . 11. A video recording method, the steps comprising: the steps of generating a reduced video image by downscaling each of the provided plurality of video images and generating a composite video image by compositing said generated reduced video images; Steps for generating additional information for each provided video image; A step of recording the composite video image and the additional information to a predetermined recording medium in such a manner that the correspondence relationship between each of the reduced video images and each of the additional information contained in the composite video image is maintained. 12. A video recording method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of generating a composite video image comprises: performing predetermined image compression on a video image obtained by synthesizing said reduced video image, and outputting the compressed video image as The composite video image. 13. A video recording method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a tape-shaped recording medium capable of recording digital video information is used as said predetermined recording medium. 14. A video recording method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said composite video image and additional information are recorded to the same recording medium in said recording step. 15. A video recording method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said additional information includes at least supply source information indicating each supply source of said video images, date and time indicating recording of each said video image information on recording date and time, frame division structure information indicating the arrangement and maximum number of reduced video images in the composite video image, recording device identification information for identifying the video recording device used for recording, and information on all One of the content information of the content of each reduced video image contained in the composite video image. 16. A video recording method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said provided video images are video images output from a plurality of cameras. 17. A video recording method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said additional information includes at least camera identification information for identifying each of said cameras, camera name information indicating a name given to each of said cameras, indicating recording recording date and time information of the date and time of each video image, frame division structure information indicating the arrangement and maximum number of reduced video images in the composite video image, the video recording device used for identification of recording One of recording device identification information and content information on the content of each of the reduced video images included in the combined video image.

Images